Die removing device



Jan. 27, 1948.

A. BoLDuc 2,434,983

DIE REMOVING DEVICE Filed Sept. 26, 1945 Patented Jan. 27, `1948 niet UNITED STATES PATENT y OFFICE 2,434,983 l DIE REMOVING DEVICE Albert Bolduc, Detroit, Mich.

Application September 26, 1945, Serial No. 618,698

Claims.

A a machine for forming openings in sheet metal or f the like.

Usually the die is held in an opening in a plate or member and is more or less press ltted in the opening in order to positively resist displacement during use of the machine. In some instances, the die may be releasably held in the opening by a spring pressed ball or the like but in any event considerable pull usually is required before the die can be removed. The copending applications for patent are concerned with devices for pulling dies out of openings withoutv requiring any removal of the plate or holder and the present invention is concerned with improvements in such devices.

One object of the invention is to provide an improved device for removing dies which includes a shank and an expansible element for engaging the die opening, wherein the expansible element will be more positively thrown or shifted through the die opening when the shank is moved in a direction to insert the element in the opening.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved device of the general type stated which is particularly suitable for removing a deep die from the member or plate holding the die.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved form of eXpansible element and co operating shank so as in general to improve the operation of the device and to make it more durable and efficient.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved type of die removing device which may be readily attached either to a punch having a stripper plate associated therewith .or a punch where the stripper plate is not used.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved type of die removing device which grips the outside of the punch and which is so constructed that it may be telescoped over the punch and then allowed to grip it in a positive manner.

Other objects of the invention will become ap- 4 parent from the following specication, from the drawings relating thereto, and from the claims hereinafter set forth.

For a better understanding of the invention 'I reference may be had to the drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of a device constructed according to one form of the invention with certain parts broken away for the purpose of clarity;

Fig. 2 is an elevational view of a modication of the device forl removing a die which also includes means co-operable with the punch for retracting the die; and, l

Fig. 3 is a similar elevational view illustrating a manually operable-device for operating the die puller.

Referring to Fig. 1, the apertured die is indicated at I0 and is shown as disposed in an opening Il of a holding plate or support I2. This holding plate or support .l 2 usually is a stationary part of the machine. The die is shown as having an opening 'I4 which increases from a smaller diameter at its upper end to a larger diameter at its lower end so as to provide a gradually tapered bore.

The upper part of the machine comprises a movable platen I5 having a support or the like I6 fastened thereto, and this support holds a punch element I1. It might be noted that the upper end of the punch is enlarged as indicated at i8 4and this enlargement fits in a rabbeted end of an opening I9 in thesupport I6 so as to pro- Vide Va positive anchor for the punch when the platen is moved upwardly.

The device for removing the die Hl comprises a shank 20 having a head 2| at its lower end which is formed with a tapered outer periphery indicated at 22. Atvits upper end the shank has a, smaller screw threaded stud portion 23 threaded intovthe lower end -of the punch element I1, and a collar 24 is provided around the stud and next to the punch. Between the collar 24 and the tapered headZl on the shank, an expansible die engaging element 21 is` provided and this element is in the form `of asleeve having an annular upper end portion 28 slidably tting the shank body and a plurality 'of fingers 29 projecting downwardly from such annular end portion. The inside diameter of the lingers is substantially larger than the diameter of the shank body so as to provide a clearance indicated at 3l.

The lower ends of the lingers have internal, tapered faces 32 adapted substantially to t the taper 2 2 on the shank head and the outer surfaces ofthe end portions ofthe ngers are also tapered but in the opposite direction, as indicated at 33, so as to provide a pilot facilitating entry of the element into the die opening I4. On each finger the upper end of the outer taper 33 joins a radially, inwardly directed shoulder 36 and this shoulder provides an abutment for en gaging the die. The element 21 is normally urged downwardly by a coil spring 31 between the element and the collar 24.

Assuming that the die is in its lower position and it is desired to extract it, the upper platen l is moved downwardly and this causes the tapered head 2l on the shank to move into the opening I4 but the element 21 does not fgllpw through the opening at once since then tapered peripheries 33 of the fingers will engage theedge of the opening. This engagement temporarily what different type of shank is provided. This indicated at 60 and at its lower end has interrupts the movement of the element and the spring 31 compresses and at the same time Vthe A head 2l moves downwardly away from the fingers and this provides space for the lower ends of the fingers to contract to a smaller -idiameth Therefore, as soon as the space mentionedtis created and the spring force is sufficient, the ends of the fingers will contract and move into. the die opening and this action is, of course, facilitated by the tapers 33. Continued move. ment of the element 21 occursand if desiredits movement may be continued untilthe shoulders 36 actually move entirely through the die. .As the die element enters the die opening in the die, it expands against the enlarging wall of the opening and moves downwardly,

Upon reverse movement'of the platen l5 and upward movement of the shank 20, the element 21 tends to remain stationary and with the tapered head 2i engaging the tapers 32 von the fingers, the fingers will be pressed very forcefully against the die. This will cause the die to move with the shank and element 21 upon continued upward movement of the shank. After the die is removed, the shank 21 may be removed :so as to` permit easier separation of the die and the lower end of the shank is serrated so asA to facilitate this operation.

The construction shown by Fig. 3 is substantially the vsame as that shown by Fig. l `in so far as the expansible element and .shank are concerned, although it will be noted that a differ-` ent form of die is shown. This die has an openeV ing 42 terminating inwardly in a shoulder 4,3 which is particularly adapted to be engaged by the shoulders onthe lingers, 28. In order to move the shank upwardly, a manually operable defvice is provided which includes a bushing or sleeve 44 adapted to rest on the 'support l2, and this bushing is internally .threaded as indicated at 45 and receives a threaded element Ylll having a hexagonal head 48 at its upper end. This head may be apertured as indicated at 49 so as to receive a handle 50 adapted to bel used in turn-` ing the element 4,1.. The element 41 is centrally bored as indicated at 52 and the lower end of the element has an inwardly directed flange `53 adapted to `provide a support for a ball bearing 5 4. The ange 5,3 is apertured as indicated at 55 to receive the threaded upper end of the shank 20 which in Ithis case may be threaded into a pin 51 terminating upwardly in la head 58, and the head 58 rests on the ball bearing 54. From this it should be clear that if the element 41 moves upwardly, the shank 2Q also must move upwardly.

The device functions in practically the same manner as described in respect. to Fig. 1 in that the Shank. is moved dottorando intothe die a n enlarged diameter 6l which terminates in a headGZ- thereby forming an annular shoulder QQ.: .'lhle enpansiblc element in this instance has an annular portion 6l! engaging the shank body and ifi/rigors 55, but these fingers are somewhat different from those already described. More particularly, each finger has an outer tapered surface 6,6. adapted substantially to fit the tapered opening in die. Ul while its lower end has a reversely tapered outer surface 6u adapted to` Serre as a. piloting surface- The inner Surface 0f the fingers in this case, are cylindrical as indicated at. 1.0,-

'The shank is threaded into the base end 0f a thimble-like element 1li having a side wall 15 formedat its upper end with a conical or tapered surface 16. The thimble receives an expansible elementV 1 1 generally also of thimble shape,A and such element is axially slotted as indicated at 8i! to form fingers 8l.. Each of these fingers has an outer tapered surface 82 adapted substantiallyV to fit the tapered surface 16v and the inner surfaces of the fingers are cylindrical as indicated at 83. A rubber bushing 85 is provided between the base portions of the two thimbles and, it Constantly acts to hold the tapered surfaces 16 and 82 together.v A finger gripping elementv B5 extends through opposed openings 81 and 8,8 in the` wall of thimble 'lll and also 'through agdia'metr-ical opening 89 in the base portion of the thmble element 11, and this element terminates in finger engaging legs and 9|. The thimble 11 is adapted to grip a punch indicated at fastened to the upper platen l5 as preyiously .indicated in connection with Fig. 1.

It will be observed that the punch in this figure isk associated with a stripper plate although it will be apparent vthat the die removing attachment can be used whether or not a stripper plate is present.

With the punch raised sufficiently, the device for removing the die may be placed between the punch and die and then by pressing upwardly against, the base of thimble 14 with the thumbs and pulling downwardly with the ngers on the finger engaging legs Se and 9i of element 86;- the inner thimble may be pulled downwardly against 'the action of the rubber element 85 which allows the fingers 8l to expand. With the fingers expanded the inner thimble may be moved upwards'- rather easily over the punch 95 and then upon release of the manual pressure, the fingers 8,( will ygrip the surface of the punch. The upper platen now may beV lowered so as to cause the element4 54 and shank to move into the die opening, and it might be mentioned at this point that this movement downwardly of the shank causes the fingers 6,5 to contract and move into the die opening as soon as` the cylindrical shoulder 6l on the shank moves downwardly past the ,1 ends of the fingers,

This allows the fingers to contract and move into the die opening but after suiiicient movement through the die opening, the fingers ex pand against the wall of the die opening` and then upon reverse movement ofv the shank, the cylindrical wall 6| moves within the fingers and the shoulder 53 engages the ends of the fingers. Upon further upward movement of the platen I5, the resistance to Withdrawal of the die creates a pull on the outer thimble 14 and this, of course, causes the inner thimble to be contracted more forcefully about the punch 95 and therefore causes the fingers 8| to grip the punch more forcefully. This gripping force increases in accordance with the resistance to removal of the die. Continued movement of the platen therefore, will cause the die to be removed and removal of the die from the shank may be accomplished as previously described.

Although more than one form of the invention has been illustrated and described in detail, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A device for pulling a die element or the like out of a holder wherein the element has a die opening, which comprises a shank insertable into the opening, a head on the insertable end of the shank, a sleeve element slidable on the shank towards and from said head and having axial slots leading from an intermediate point in the sleeve to the end thereof next to the head so as to provide resilient fingers, a coil spring on the shank abutting at one end the opposite end of the sleeve, and abutment means on the shank engaging the opposite end of the spring.

2. A device for pulling a die element or the like out of a holder wherein the element has a die opening, which comprises a shank insertable into the opening, a head on the insertable end of the shank, a sleeve element slidable on the shank towards and from said head and having axial slots leading from an intermediate point in the sleeve to the end thereof next to the head so as to provide resilient fingers, a coil spring on the shank abutting at one end the opposite end of the sleeve, and abutment means on the shank engaging the opposite end of the spring, said fingers having axially tapered surfaces increasing in diameter towards the free end thereof and the head being axially tapered substantially to fit the tapered surfaces on the ngers. y

3. A device for pulling a die element or the like out of a holder wherein the element has a die opening, which comprises a shank insertable into the opening, a head on the insertable end of the shank, a sleeve element slidable on the shank towards and from said head and having axial slots leading from an intermediate point in the sleeve to the end thereof next to the head so as to provide resilient fingers, a coil spring on the" shank abutting at one end the opposite end of the sleeve, and abutment means on the shank engaging the opposite end of the spring, said fingers having cylindrical inner surfaces and the head having a cylindrical shoulder adapted to receive the ends of the fingers and an annular flange at the end of the shoulder adapted to engage the ends of the hgers.

4. A device for pulling a die comprising an outer cup-like element, an inner cup-like element having axial slots in its side wall to provide resilient fingers, axially tapered surfaces on the adjacent peripheries of the outer cup and the 1 fingers of the inner cup to cause radial contraction of the fingers upon movement of the inner cup in an axial direction, and resilientmeans tending to move the inner cup in said axial direction so as to hold the tapered surfaces in contact.

5. A device for pulling a die comprising an outer cup-like element, an inner cup-like element having axial slots in its side wall to provide resilient fingers, axially tapered surfaces on the adjacentuperipheries of the outer cup and the lingers of the inner cup to cause radial contraction of the fingers upon movement of the inner cup in an axial direction, and resilient means between the base portions of the cup elements urging them apart.-

6. A device for engaging a die or the like comprising an outer sleeve means, an inner sleeve means having axial slots providing resilient lingers at one end of such sleeve means, resilient means between the sleeve means urging them in one direction relatively, and complementary tapered surfaces on the outer sides of the fingers and on the inner periphery of the outer sleeve means adapted to cause contraction of the lingers when the sleeve means are moved relatively in the direction indicated.

7. A device for engaging a die or the like comprising an outer sleeve means, an inner sleeve means having axial slots providing resilient iingers at one end of such sleeve means, resilient means between the sleeve means urging them in one direction relatively, complementary tapered surfaces on the outer sides of the lingers and on the inner periphery of the outer sleeve means adapted to cause contraction of the fingers when the sleeve means are moved relatively in the direction indicated, and accessible means connected to the inner sleeve means for enabling manual movement thereof against the action of the resilient means. Y

8. A device for engaging a die element or the like comprising inner and outer concentric members movable relatively in an axial direction, said members having their adjacent peripheral surfaces tapered in an axial direction substantially in fitting relation, one of the members having axial slots through the tapered surface portion so as to provide resilient fingers, and resilient means operatively connecting the members and acting constantly to urge the tapered surfaces together so as to move the fingers radially.

9. A device for removing e, die element having a die opening comprising a lshank insertable into the die opening and having a head on its insertable end, a slidable element on the shank and having portions ,expansible to engage the die, resilient means on the shank urging the element towards the shank head, and means on the other end of the shank for engaging a punch element and comprising relatively slidable sleeve elements one within the other and having their adjacent peripheries tapered axially in substantially iitting relation with the tapered portion of the inner sleeve element axially slotted to provide fingers for gripping the punch, and resilient means constantly urging the sleeve elements axially and relatively so as to hold the tapered sur faces in contact.

10. A device for removing a die element having a die opening comprising a shank having one end adapted to be inserted into the die opening, means on the insertable end of the shank for engaging the die element so as to enable pulling the latter when movement of the shank is reif: es vrse' land Amens am mhefotrrerndbff the i :admita fto engage fa h.punch emment mperabge REFERENCES CITED iwfmally with th fde element #S0 *ht me "dl "The llowing references `are -of record in the 'elm'entlm'ay lbe withdrawn when *the punch e1e me f rthis patent; ment iis moved away :mfom 'the die vrellamem; after 5 the @shank is :inserted :imo fthe me mening, `am@ 'UNITED STATES 'PATENTS 

